Staff

Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO, provides strategic direction to the organization and oversees its operations along with engaging key stakeholders about the value of animal agriculture and providing guidance to the animal agriculture community about managing various issues, including animal rights extremist activity and campaigns. Hannah joined the Alliance in 2014 and has served in various leadership roles involving communications, issues management and strategic engagement. Hannah holds a B.S. in agricultural communication with a minor in agricultural business and an M.S. in agricultural and extension education from The Ohio State University. While pursuing her education, Hannah completed an undergraduate thesis based on agricultural policy and a graduate thesis focused on crisis communications and planning within the dairy community. Prior to joining the Alliance, Hannah worked in marketing and public relations for Farm Credit Mid-America. She lives in rural Maryland with her husband and their three pets – two dogs and a cat.

Logan Hall, director, membership and marketing, is responsible for leading the development and execution of the Alliance’s membership and sponsorship recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies. In his role, he connects farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals with the Alliance’s resources on effectively communicating with key audiences about animal agriculture and understanding the strategies and tactics of the animal rights movement. Logan joined the Alliance in 2023, working previously as the marketing communications manager at the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, a 4-H extension educator, and deputy communications director at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. He is a graduate of Delaware Valley University with a B.S. in agricultural education and lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three pets – a dog and two cats.

As the Alliance’s director, communications and content, Emily Ellis is responsible for shaping the Alliance’s brand and proactive communications strategy. Emily leads the Alliance’s media engagement efforts, ensures the strength and consistency of the Alliance brand, manages the planning and execution of the College Aggies Online program, and outreach efforts with nutrition influencers. She also coordinates strategic discussions with relevant stakeholders on communications strategies and represents the Alliance at various industry meetings. Prior to joining the Alliance team, Emily served as communications manager for Maryland Farm Bureau and held several internships within the animal agriculture community – including communications intern for the Alliance. Emily holds a B.S. in animal science from the University of Maryland. She joined the Alliance team in 2020.

Abby Kornegay is the Alliance’s director, issues and engagement and is responsible for shaping the Alliance’s issues management and crisis communications strategy. Abby leads the organization’s efforts to expose those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation, including monitoring and responding to the efforts of adversarial groups. She also coordinates strategic engagement efforts, provides counsel to Alliance members and contacts on issues, and leads the development and implementation of the Animal Ag Allies program. Prior to joining the Alliance team, Abby served as animal care program manager for Butterball, LLC. Abby holds both a B.S and M.S. in animal science from North Carolina State University. She joined the Alliance team in May 2022 and lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and dog, Luca.

In her role as manager, membership and communications, Grace Simpson helps manage the organization’s membership and sponsorship recruitment and retention process along with overseeing operational needs and providing support to communications and issues management efforts. Grace also serves as the first line of contact for Alliance members and other stakeholders and is responsible for facilitating the Alliance’s participation in various events within the animal agriculture community. Grace graduated from Michigan State University in 2022 with a B.S. in agriculture education and minors including applied international development in agriculture and natural resources, as well as environmental and sustainability studies. Prior to joining the Alliance team, Grace served as the event and outreach intern for GreenStone Farm Credit Services among several other internship positions within the agriculture community – including communications intern for the Alliance. She joined the Alliance team in June 2022. Grace lives in Virginia with her husband and their two dogs, Harper and Winston.